The new community park at the Maribyrnong civic precinct and community hub could soon be called ‘balit bargoongagat banhul’ after the proposed name was endorsed at a council meeting on May 20.
The name, which means strong people linked together (balit bargoongagat) and park (banhul) in Woi-wurrung language, was chosen by the Wurundjeri Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation for the park which sits at the back of the Footscray Town Hall, between the civic and community hub and Hyde Street.
“Having this gift from the Wurundjeri of the naming of the park is something we should be really proud that they have taken the time to work with our council officers to give us the name,” said Maribyrnong deputy mayor Bernadette Thomas in moving the motion.
Cr Thomas said the name was in keeping with the overall theme of the new civic and community hub which opened late last year.
“In the planning and thinking around the new hub and particularly the park out the front, the idea from the previous council was that it was really important that first nations people would be front and centre.”
After receiving unanimous support from councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting, the name will now be subject to a 30 day community consultation period.
If no objections are received, the proposed name will be formally endorsed by council and then submitted to Geographic Names Victoria for registration.
